December 13, 2019

6 Steps for a Data Secure Christmas

What is traditionally the most wonderful time of the year, can also be a nightmare for businesses. As employees head home for the holidays, the risks of a data breach are only heightened – with an increase in office online shopping, remote working and of course, opportunists who want to dampen the festive season.

So, with this in mind: we’ve assembled a collection of data security tips, to safeguard your business and give you peace of mind, so your holidays remain merry and bright – because we protect what matters and what matters to us is the security of your company, customers and employees. Season’s Greetings and all the very best for 2020.

1. Promote Safe Online Shopping

Before employees head home for Christmas, like it or not, the chances are they’ll at some point be online shopping in the workplace. The festive season is conducive to online scams, so encourage employees to be extra vigilant and to avoid suspicious emails and online ads. If an offer looks too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.

2. Encourage Safe Remote Working

Employees working from home is common at Christmas, so steps are required to keep data secure. Limit the documents that exit the office and, if they must leave, make sure they’re returned for secure storage or destruction. Plus, ensure that all files, laptops and internet connections are password-protected with a secure password and activated security settings and firewalls.

3. Have a Christmas Clean-Up

Before you close for the bank holiday, ask staff to leave behind a clean desk to ensure confidential data is secured or destroyed. It’s common for contractors to carry out work during the festive season, so who knows what sensitive information they might happen upon if left in plain sight. Don’t take any chances and implement a Clean Desk Policy.

4. Be Prepared

In the case of a data breach, make sure you have an effective response plan in place. This is even more essential during the festive period, when an increased number of employees are away with limited access to key resources. Does your response plan include the relevant contact information, clear responsibilities for individuals, important information – alarm codes, passwords – and a process for communicating important messages to customers?

5. New Year, New Opportunities – Same Secure Data

Take the beginning of a new year as an opportunity to do away with bad habits and to introduce some good ones. Implement the mantra New Year, New Start and revisit your information security protocols, conduct an information security audit of your business and ensure data is as protected as possible. Start the year as you mean to go on and enjoy a prosperous and data secure 2020.

6. Protect Your Business with Shred-it

If you’re not already benefitting from our world-class document destruction services, learn more about how we can protect your documents, hard drives and confidential data and get in touch to receive a free quote and Data Security Survey. We protect what matters and what matters to us is the security of your business. So, follow our simple steps to protect the confidential data of your customers, employees and business this festive season.